Chapter 9: Alaric’s Ambition

The air in the packhouse was charged with tension as I paced back and forth, trying to piece together the fragments of information we had gathered.

Rowan's disappearance had shaken everyone, especially after the trail of blood that led to nowhere. It was a stark reminder that the enemy was not only outside our walls but possibly within them as well.

Gideon entered the room, his usual stoic expression hardened by worry. “Sera, we need to talk,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

I stopped pacing and faced him, bracing myself for whatever news he had. “What is it?”

“We've uncovered more information about Alaric Draven,” he began, walking over to the large map of our territory that hung on the wall. “It’s worse than we thought.

He’s not just after revenge—he’s planning to dominate Silverwood, and he’s willing to use any means necessary.”

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach. “Dominate? How?”

Gideon’s expression was grim as he pointed to the outskirts of our territory on the map. “His